CHICAGO — Two security breaches within 10 days at O’Hare International Airport are drawing serious concern from aviation experts, federal authorities, and city officials over the state of security at one of the country’s busiest transportation hubs.
The first breach occurred on May 17, when a food delivery driver managed to enter a restricted airfield area, coming dangerously close to a United Airlines plane. The second, more alarming incident took place just 10 days later on May 27, when a Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) security officer allegedly allowed more than 50 vehicles to pass through a secure perimeter checkpoint without proper credential verification.
Breaches Expose Major Flaws in Access Control
According to sources, surveillance footage captured the checkpoint incident, showing dozens of drivers bypassing ID swipes — a key layer in confirming secure access.
“If you’re not stopping those vehicles… you have no idea who is in the vehicle, and you have no idea what’s in the vehicle,” said Thomas Herion, former assistant commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation Security and current Lyons police chief.
Herion expressed grave concern about the lack of proper screening, especially given O’Hare’s stature as a high-risk target in national security frameworks.
Changes in Hiring and Training Under Scrutiny
Herion pointed out a significant shift in hiring standards over the years. While aviation security officers once trained in police academy settings, the current requirements reportedly allow applicants with only a GED and internal training to be placed in high-security roles.
“You’re protecting direct access to the airfield. That concerns me a lot,” Herion emphasized.
TSA and City Respond to Breaches
The Chicago Department of Aviation acknowledged both incidents and stated they have referred the cases to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for investigation. The CDA also confirmed that the contractor involved in the first breach — Lincoln Security — has since terminated the employee responsible, and their airport credentials were revoked.
A TSA spokesperson said the agency has regulatory oversight in such incidents and could impose civil penalties of up to $10,000 per breach, meaning the city could potentially face fines nearing $500,000.
Despite these measures, the recurrence of such a critical failure in less than two weeks has led to increased scrutiny from both watchdogs and the public.
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